THE North Wales branch of the Merchant Navy Association started recruiting immediately prior to the onset of the Covid Pandemic which precluded any face-to-face meetings.
They soldiered on by way of e-mails, newsletters and WhatsApp messages for 18 months until its first meeting in July 2021 at the Cae Mor Hotel in Llandudno, where they agreed to meet on the second Wednesday of each month.
At the first get-together, the two founders made it clear they would be standing down after 12 months to make way for “long-term” administration.
With the new administration in place, with Dave Creamer as chairman, Mike Marshall as vice chairman and Gwyn Jones as treasurer, confidence is high.
The first move was to address the level of membership and streamline the costs to that membership.
The branch has also relocated and is now established at the Llandudno Ex Servicemen's and Friends Social Club.
In the group’s first year, it has featured at various civic functions, instigating Merchant Navy Day at the Llandudno Memorial and being invited to the Royal Naval Association Trafalgar Day Parade.
The group has also moved towards proper branch colours once the finance was in place and a “Colours Fund” was established.
The fund was started with a generous donation from Len Green, a RNA member, which accounted for more than half of the money needed.
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The retiring inaugural chairman and his wife donated the balance needed for the £700 required to acquire the colours and accessories needed.
A two-member team was appointed comprising Mike Ridehalgh and Nick Taylor, who embarked on the design and ordering of the colours.
The design was required to identify who the group is, to represent both the civilian and military sides of the Merchant Navy, and to be bilingual.
As a result, the group wears red ensign on one side and blue ensign on the other, while the Merchant Navy Crest is also featured.
If anybody in the North Wales and surrounding areas wishes to join, please email: mnanorthwales@gmail.com.
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